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Curso básico · A1–A2
Nivel A1.1 — IdentidadNivel A1.2 — Rutinas y entornoNivel A2.1 — Contando el mundoNivel A2.2 — Comparando y proyectandoIntermedio · B1–B2
Level B1.1 — Connecting experiencesLevel B1.2 — Narrating and describingLevel B2.1 — Arguing Current levelLevel B2.2 — NuanceProfesional / Avanzado · C1–C2
Level C1.1 — PrecisionLevel C1.2 — Register and discourseLevel C2.1 — StyleLevel C2.2 — Native masteryInglés técnico y especialización
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We use modal verbs to make logical guesses about situations — how certain we are based on the evidence. "Must" expresses strong certainty something is true, "can't" expresses strong certainty something is false, and "might/could/may" express real uncertainty.
Why this matters This lesson connects directly to your progress: it covers must and can't: strong certainty; might, could, may: real uncertainty; past deductions: modal + have + past participle. Mastering this content lets you move forward confidently, and reinforces patterns you'll use again later. Take time to review every example before moving to the assessment — repetition is what actually locks knowledge in long-term.
01
The goals of this lesson.
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You already know modal verbs for possibility (might, could, may). This lesson adds modals of deduction — using logic to guess what's probably true ("She must be tired").
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"Must" means you're almost certain something is true, based on evidence. "Can't" means you're almost certain something is false — it's the negative equivalent of "must" for deduction (not "mustn't").
| Modal | Certainty | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must + base verb | almost certainly true | She must be tired. |
| can't + base verb | almost certainly false | That can't be true. |
Examples
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These three are roughly interchangeable and express genuine uncertainty — you have no strong evidence either way.
Examples
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To make a deduction about the past, add "have" + past participle after the modal — "must have", "can't have", "might have", "could have", "may have".
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| must have + p.p. | She must have left already. |
| can't have + p.p. | He can't have said that. |
Examples
06
Read the text and answer the questions. You can try as many times as you want.
Detective Reyes examined the empty apartment carefully. "The window is open, so the thief must have entered this way," she said. "But there's no sign of forced entry, so they can't have broken the lock. They must have had a key."
Her partner disagreed. "That can't be right — nobody else has a key except the owner." "Well, someone might have copied it," Reyes replied. "Or the owner may have forgotten to lock the door. We can't be sure yet, but we'll figure it out."
1. How does Reyes think the thief entered?
2. Why does she say they can't have broken the lock?
3. What does Reyes think the thief must have had?
4. Does her partner agree?
5. What is one possibility Reyes suggests?
💪 You're reasoning and speculating like a native speaker now. Review this lesson, or keep advancing your B2 skills!
07
Usa las pistas para completar cada palabra en inglés. Sin calificar — repite las veces que quieras.
08
The essentials of this lesson, summarized.
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Key terms to remember.
in need of rest; lacking energy
Collocations: look tired, feel tired, get tired
a job or place of employment; or to do a job
Collocations: at work, out of work, work overtime
feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
Collocations: happy about, perfectly happy, happy medium
the details of where someone lives or something is located
Collocations: home address, change of address, permanent address
saying something as a joke, not seriously
Collocations: just joking, joking aside, joking around
the place where someone lives
Collocations: at home, work from home, feel at home
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Tap the words in the correct order to form the sentence. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.
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Tap the correct verb form to complete each sentence. The other options are conjugations from other tenses — on purpose, so you learn to tell them apart.
It might too late to call her
This must the right address
They must have a different route
They may have stuck in traffic
He must have about the meeting
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Listen to the full dialogue with the speaker buttons first, then fill in the missing words from this lesson's real conversation. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.
hasn't answered any messages day.
He must be in a He's quick to reply.
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You need at least 80% to unlock the next lesson. You can retake it as many times as you want — your best score is saved.
1. "They may be having dinner already." — which one is correct?
2. Select the correct match for: "She might be running late."
3. Select the correct match for: "He could have forgotten his phone at home."
4. "They may have gotten stuck in traffic." — which one is correct?
5. Which option matches: "She can't have finished the report already."?
6. Select the correct match for: "They must have taken a different route."
7. Which option matches: "He can't be serious about this plan."?
8. Which option matches: "They must be very happy with the news."?
9. Which option matches: "It might be too late to call her."?
10. What does this mean: "The lights are on, so someone must have come home."?
Review — Lesson 43 What matches: "The letter was written by Sarah."?
Review — Lesson 43 What matches: "My car was stolen last week."?
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You now make logical deductions with modal verbs. Next lesson: modal perfects, for speculating about the past.
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Practice this lesson's vocabulary with a word search and flashcards. Ungraded — play as many times as you like.
Tap the first and last letter of a hidden word to find it. Los términos de varias palabras van sin espacios en el tablero (ej. "give up" aparece como GIVEUP).
Elige la respuesta correcta. Si aciertas, la tarjeta queda lista por hoy; si fallas, vuelve a aparecer pronto para reforzarla. Tu progreso se guarda en este dispositivo.